WO2024116113A1

WO2024116113A1 - Blank configured to be erected into a package, a package formed by such a blank, and a method of erecting a blank

Info

Publication number: WO2024116113A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/062070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel AXELSSON
Original assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
Current assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
Priority date: 2022-12-02
Filing date: 2023-11-30
Publication date: 2024-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-02
Also published as: SE2230393A1; EP4626796A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a blank (1) configured to be erected into a package (200), a package (200) formed by such a blank (1), and a method of erecting a blank (1), wherein the blank (1) is configured to be erected into a package (200) having reinforced corners, the blank (1) comprising a plurality of main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction (L), an attachment tab (60), two sets of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c), wherein the respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) includes at least an inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) and an outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b), wherein the outer reinforcement panel (52b, 52b) is configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) or to the respective second and third main panel (20, 30) thereby keeping the reinforcement panels in the folded position, and, wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and the second (20), respectively the third (30) main panel is provided with a perforation (25, 35) extending at least partly from the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) and thereafter extending between a first and second longitudinally extending edge of the respective main panel thereby allowing a cover portion of the package to be separated from a tray portion of the package.

Description

BLANK CONFIGURED TO BE ERECTED INTO A PACKAGE, A PACKAGE FORMED BY SUCH A BLANK, AND A METHOD OF ERECTING A BLANK

Field of invention

The invention relates to a blank configured to be erected into a package having reinforced corners. The invention also relates to a package having reinforced corners, the package being folded from a blank. The invention also relates to a method of erecting a blank into a package.

Technical Background

When designing a package, it is often desirous to take into account a number of different design criteria. The package should e.g., often be designed such that it makes efficient use of the material, is easy to transport to the point of use, is easy to prepare for use, and provides a strong structure. It is often desirable that it is strong during handling and stable in an erected state. Moreover, the package should often be convenient to handle at point of use.

Retailers often want to stock items without excessive handling of merchandise. Shelf-ready packaging (SRP), or retail-ready packaging (RRP) are packages, often formed by cardboard material, comprising a cover portion and tray portion. The cover portion is often separable from the tray portion. This allows items stored in the tray portion to be displayed before customers. Customers may thus pick items directly from pallets. Hence, SRP’s, or RRP’s, let retailers to stock items without excessive handling of merchandise.

However, when designing an SRP, or an RRP, it is often difficult to make the package capable of remaining mechanically stable over a sufficient time period, especially during transport and when the packages are stacked on top of each other on a pallet.

There exist numerous attempts to address the above design criteria in connection to designing a package of cardboard material. GB 2595293 A discloses an SRP. The SRP has a cover portion being configured to be separable from a tray portion. The blank configured to be erected into a package is provided with separate panels being glued onto the blank. The separate panels are configured to form reinforced corners of the package.

However, it may be noted that the prior art document does not adequately address the set of design criteria that the package should make efficient use of the material, is easy to transport to the point of use, is easy to prepare for use, and provides a strong structure. Moreover, the prior art document does not adequately address the set of design criteria that the package should be strong during handling, stable in an erected state and be convenient to handle at point of use.

Summary of invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution addressing at least some of the design criteria that the package should make efficient use of the material, is easy to transport to the point of use, is easy to prepare for use, and provides a strong structure. It is especially an object of the invention to provide a package being strong during handling, being stable in an erected state and being convenient to handle at point of use.

This object has been achieved by a blank configured to be erected into a package having reinforced corners, the blank comprising: a plurality of main panels arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, the main panels being configured to form two opposing side walls, a bottom and a top when the blank is erected to form the package; wherein the second main panel is configured to form part of a first side wall of the package and the third main panel is configured to form part of a second side wall of the package, the first and second side walls being opposing side walls of the package; wherein the second and third main panel are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges of the first main panel configured to form the bottom; wherein the blank further comprises: an attachment tab being foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and being configured to be attached to an opposing main panel such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels when the blank is erected to form the package; a respective set of reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel, respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge of the second and third main panel, respectively; wherein the respective set of reinforcement panels includes at least an inner reinforcement panel and an outer reinforcement panel wherein the inner reinforcement panel of the respective set is foldably connected to the respective one of the second and third main panel and is configured to be folded to extend along a frontside of the package when the blank is erected to form the package, and wherein the outer reinforcement panel of the respective set is directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel along a longitudinally extending fold line and is configured, when the blank is erected to form the package, to be folded into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed; wherein the outer reinforcement panel is configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panels when the blank is erected to form the package, and thereby keep the reinforcement panels in the folded position; and, wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel, and the second and the third main panel, respectively, is provided with a respective perforation extending at least partly along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel, and traversing the respective inner reinforcement panel along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel to the longitudinally extending first edge of the respective second and third main panel and thereafter extending to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge of the respective one of the second and third main panel thereby allowing a cover portion of the package to be separated from a tray portion of the package when the blank is erected to form the package.

An advantage with this design is that there is provided a blank capable of being easy to transport to the point of use and is easy to prepare for use. The blank is provided with a respective set of reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel, respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge of the second and third main panel, respectively. The reinforcement panels are configured to form reinforced corners when the blank has been erected into a package. By the reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the main panels of the blank, there is provided a blank having integrally formed reinforcement panels. By the reinforcement panels being a part of a single blank forming the package, it is possible to make efficient use of material. As the package having reinforced corners may be formed from a single blank, the blank is also easy to prepare for use, as opposed to attaching external reinforcement members to the blank or the package. Furthermore, this makes the blank easy to transport to the point of use, considering that it is most often easier to transport a single unit rather than to transport several separate components configured to be assembled to form a single unit.

Another advantage with this design is that, by the blank being provided with reinforcement panels being configured to form reinforced corners of the package, there is provided a package capable of remaining mechanically stable over a sufficient time period, especially during transport and when the packages are stacked on top of each other on a pallet. By the at least an inner reinforcement panel and an outer reinforcement panel of the respective reinforcement panels being configured to be folded such that a respective reinforcement corner is formed, the blank may be erected into a mechanically strong package. Hence, there is provided a package capable of remaining stable over a sufficient time period, especially during transport and when the packages are stacked on top of each other on a pallet. The package will remain mechanically strong during handling while storing items, since the package is provided with reinforced corners where the package is otherwise weak. Thereby, the risk of mechanical deformation of the package and damage to items is reduced. By the reinforcement corners being integrally formed with the package, and further, by the outer reinforcement panel of the respective set being configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panel, the reinforcement corners are kept in the folded position. Hence, collapsing during handling is counteracted and the mechanical structure of the storage box is improved. Thereby, the structure of the package may withstand exterior forces as the reinforcement corners provide internal support points.

Yet another advantage with this design is that, by the second and the third main panel, respectively being provided with a respective perforation extending at least partly from a front portion to a rear portion of the respective one of the second and third main panel, a cover portion of the package may be separated from a tray portion of the package. This provides the capability of keeping items being stored in the tray portion to be displayed to customers. Furthermore, by the respective set of reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel, respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge of the respective one of the second and third main panel there is provided a possibility for the respective reinforcement corner to form part of the cover portion, such that upon separating the cover portion from the tray portion, the reinforcement corners may follow with the cover portion and thereby also be separated from the tray portion in a single motion. Thereby, there is provided a package which is strong during transportation and which is still convenient to transform into a display mode in which the cover portion including the reinforcement corners has been removed and the tray portion remains.

The cover portion of the package may be defined as a top portion of the package above the respective perforation. Further, the tray portion of the package may be defined as a bottom portion of the package below the respective perforation. The respective perforation may be teared and thus allow the cover portion to be separated from the tray portion. Unless nothing else is explicitly given, by the cover portion being separated from the tray portion it is meant that the cover portion may be completely or partially separated from the tray portion. By the cover portion being completely separated from the tray portion it is meant that the cover portion is not connected to the tray portion. By the cover portion being partially separated from the tray portion it is meant that the cover portion may e.g., be hingedly connected to the tray portion, such as e.g., being hingedly connected along a fold line between the top and rear wall.

At least one of the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels may have, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, a length along the longitudinal direction such that a transversally extending edge of said reinforcement panel is configured to abut the bottom when the blank is erected into a package.

An advantage with this design is that said at least one of the reinforcement panels abutting the bottom enhances the mechanical stability of the package. This configuration of at least one of the reinforcement panels abutting the bottom allows a plurality of packages to be sturdily stacked on top of each other.

When the blank is erected to form the package, the respective perforation may extend from a first height at the respective inner reinforcement panel to a second height at the longitudinally extending second edge of the respective main panel, wherein the first height is preferably lower than the second height.

An advantage with this design is that stored items in the tray portion of the package may be provided with sufficient protection from external forces during transportation while still being allowed to be clearly displayed to customers when the cover portion has been removed. The advantage with the items being clearly displayed is especially true if the first height is lower than the second height, i.e., with the front portion of the remaining tray portion being lower than the rear portion of the remaining tray portion. In some embodiments, the respective perforation extends in parallel with a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges of the first main panel, i.e., in parallel with the bottom. In some circumstances, one or more layers of items being stored in the tray portion of the package may surpass the height of the side walls of the tray portion in a stacking direction. Hence, by the respective perforation extending in parallel, or at least being substantially in parallel, with a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges of the first main panel, retailers may remove the cover portions of a plurality of tray portions and re-stack said tray portions on e.g., a pallet or any other platform, without deforming the side walls of the tray portion. Hence, this would provide a more efficient and convenient shopping experience for the customers.

The blank may further comprise a front frame panel being foldably connected to the first main panel along a longitudinally extending first edge of the first main panel, and wherein the front frame panel is configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels.

An advantage with this design is that the front frame panel may form part of the side walls of the package. Hence, the front frame panel may, at least partly, prevent stored items from falling out of the package. The front frame panel may also provide stored items protection from external forces.

Another advantage with this design is that by the front frame panel being configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels, each of the side walls of the package may be kept in its intended position. This provides mechanical stability to the package.

Preferably, the front frame panel is configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels, respectively, by being attached to a respective lower portion of a respective inner reinforcement panel connected to the respective one of the second and third main panels when the blank is erected to form the package. This lower portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel is preferably connected to the upper portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel by a respective perforation. The respective perforation preferably adjoins with the respective perforation of the respective one of the second and third main panels. Thereby the lower portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel may still be attached to the front frame panel and form part of the tray portion when the cover portion of the package is removed.

Preferably, the front frame panel is attached to the outside of the inner reinforcement panels.

The blank may further comprise a front cover panel being foldably connected to a longitudinally extending first edge of a fourth main panel, wherein the front cover panel is configured to be attached to the inner reinforcement panels, preferably outside of the inner reinforcement panels.

An advantage with this design is that the front cover panel may, as seen in a state when the cover portion has yet to be separated from the tray portion, form part of a side wall of the cover portion of the package. Hence, the front cover panel may, at least partly, prevent stored items from falling out of the package. The front cover panel may also provide stored items protection from external forces.

Another advantage with this design is that by the front cover panel being configured to be attached to the inner reinforcement panels, preferably outside of the inner reinforcement panels, there is provided limitations in movements of the respective reinforcement corners of the package. Hence, the front cover panel facilitates in keeping the reinforcement corners in their intended position. This provides a mechanically stable package.

Preferably, the front cover panel is configured to be connected to a respective upper portion of the second and third main panels, respectively, by being attached to a respective upper portion of a respective inner reinforcement panel connected to the respective one of the second and third main panels when the blank is erected to form the package. This upper portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel is preferably connected to the lower portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel by a respective perforation. The respective perforation preferably adjoins with the respective perforation of the respective one of the second and third main panels. Thereby the upper portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel may still be attached to the cover frame panel and form part of the cover portion being removed while allowing a lower portion of the respective inner reinforcement panel still being attached to a front frame panel thereby forming a stable tray portion when the cover portion of the package is removed.

The blank may further comprise a set of rear wall panels being foldably connected to one or more of the main panels along a longitudinally extending second edge of the respective main panel.

An advantage with this design is that the set of rear wall panels may form part of a side wall of the package. Hence, the set of rear wall panels may, at least partly, prevent stored items from falling out of the package. The set of rear wall panels may also provide stored items protection from external forces. It may in this context be noted that not all main panels need to be provided with an associated rear wall panel. In the preferred embodiment there is four rear wall panels; one associated with each of the main panels. It may also be noted that the rear wall panels need not form a completely closed rear wall. It is desirous that the rear wall panels form an at least partly closed lower portion. At least partly closed is intended to refer to a design where any gaps or recesses in the lower portion are small compared to the size of the items intended to be loaded into the package. In the preferred embodiment, the respective rear wall panel connected to the second and third main panel, respectively, has a longitudinal extension along the complete longitudinal extension of the respective one of the second and third main panels and thereby extends along the complete height of the rear wall. In the preferred embodiment, these rear wall panels each has an extension along the transversal direction being slightly shorter than half the longitudinal extension of the first and fourth main panels and thereby they will form a closed or almost closed rear wall without overlapping each other.

The set of rear wall panels may comprise a rear frame panel being foldably connected to the first main panel along a longitudinally extending second edge of the first main panel, wherein the rear frame panel is configured to be connected to a lower portion of the second and third main panels. An advantage with this design is that the rear frame panel may form part of a side wall of the package. Hence, the rear frame panel may, at least partly, prevent stored items from falling out of the tray portion. The front frame panel may also provide stored items protection from external forces.

Another advantage with this design is that by the rear frame panel being configured to be attached to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels, each of the side walls of the package may be kept in its intended position. This provides mechanical stability to the package.

Preferably, the rear frame panel is configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels, respectively, by being connected to a respective lower portion of a respective rear wall panel connected to a respective longitudinally extending second edge of the second and third main panels respectively when the blank is erected to form the package.

The set of rear wall panels comprises a rear cover panel being foldably connected to a longitudinally extending second edge of the fourth main panel, wherein the rear cover panel is configured to be connected to a respective upper portion of the second and third main panels.

An advantage with this design is that the rear cover panel may, as seen in a state when the cover portion has yet to be separated from the tray portion, be configured to form part of a side wall of the cover portion of the package. Hence, the rear cover panel may, at least partly, prevent stored items from falling out of the package. The front cover panel may also provide stored items protection from external forces.

Another advantage with this design is that by the rear cover panel being configured to be attached to a respective upper portion of the second and third main panels, each of the side walls of the package may be kept in its intended position. This provides mechanical stability to the package.

Preferably, the rear cover panel is configured to be connected to a respective upper portion of the second and third main panels, respectively, by being connected to a respective upper portion of a respective rear wall panel connected to a respective longitudinally extending second edge of the second and third main panels, respectively, when the blank is erected to form the package.

The rear cover panel may be provided with a perforation extending between opposing transversally extending edges of the rear cover panel.

An advantage with this design is that the perforation allows a cover portion of the package to easily be completely separated from a tray portion of the package. As mentioned before, by the set of reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel along a longitudinally extending first edge of the respective second and third main panel there is provided a possibility for the respective reinforcement corner to form part of the cover portion. Thus, the possibility of completely separating the cover portion from the tray portion allows the reinforcement corners to be completely separated from the tray portion as well. Thereby, it is provided a package being convenient to handle at use. Further, by the cover portion being completely separated from the tray portion there is provided a possibility to compactly arrange, and stack separated tray portions on a limited area. This design is therefore logistically efficient.

Preferably, the perforation is positioned in a fold line between the rear cover panel and the fourth main panel.

As an alternative to a perforation in the rear cover panel or a perforation in the fold line between the rear cover panel and the fourth main panel, the perforations in the second and third main panels may extend also through the rear panels connected to the second and third main panels, if present, and may at the rear portion be positioned at a height between the rear tray panel and the rear cover panel. Thereby, the rear tray panel may remain part of the tray portion and the rear cover panel may be removed as an integral part of the cover portion.

The blank may be formed of a paper-based material.

An advantage with the blank being paper-based is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the blank. It is also comparably easy to fold a paper-based blank into the desired package.

It may in this context be reiterated that it is preferred that the main panels and the reinforcement panels discussed above are all formed in a single blank.

It may also be said that the above-mentioned object has been achieved by the provision of a package having reinforced corners, the package being folded from a blank comprising a plurality of main panels arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, wherein the main panels are folded to form two opposing side walls, a bottom and a top, wherein the second main panel forms part of a first side wall of the package and the third main panel forms part of a second side wall of the package, the first and second side walls being opposing side walls of the package, wherein the second and third main panel are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges of the first main panel forming the bottom, wherein the package further comprises: an attachment tab being foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and being attached to an opposing main panel such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels; a respective set of reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel, respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge of the respective second and third main panel, and wherein the respective set of reinforcement panels includes at least an inner reinforcement panel and an outer reinforcement panel, wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel is foldably connected to the respective one of the second and third main panel and is folded and extends along a frontside the package, and wherein the respective outer reinforcement panel is directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel along a longitudinally extending fold line and is folded into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed, wherein the respective outer reinforcement panel is attached to another reinforcement panel of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panels and thereby keeps the reinforcement panels in the folded position; and, wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel, and the second and the third main panel, respectively, is provided with a respective perforation extending at least partly along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel, and traversing the respective inner reinforcement panel along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel to the longitudinally extending first edge of the respective second and third main panel and thereafter extending to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge of the respective main panel thereby allowing a cover portion of the package to be separated from a tray portion of the package.

Advantages of the associated various features of the blank and package have been discussed above with reference to the blank, and those advantages are equally applicable to the package. Moreover, the various preferred embodiments which have been discussed with reference to the blank, and associated advantages of those preferred embodiments, are equally applicable to the package.

The above-mentioned object may also be achieved by a method of erecting a package having reinforced corners, the blank comprising a plurality of main panels arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank, an attachment tab being foldably connected to one main panel at a first outer, transversally extending edge of the blank and being configured to be attached to an opposing main panel such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels; and a respective set of reinforcement panels being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel, respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge of the respective second and third main panel; wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel, and the second and the third main panel, respectively, is provided with a respective perforation extending at least partly along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel, and traversing the respective inner reinforcement panel along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel to the longitudinally extending first edge of the respective second and third main panel and thereafter extending to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge of the respective main panel thereby allowing a cover portion of the package to be separated from a tray portion of the package, wherein the method comprises: folding the main panels to form two opposing side walls, a bottom and a top, wherein the second main panel form part of a first side wall of the package and the third main panel form part of a second side wall of the package, the first and second side walls being opposing side walls of the package; wherein the second and third main panel are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges of the first main panel configured to form the bottom, attaching the attachment tab to the opposing main panel such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels, folding a respective inner reinforcement panel being foldably connected to the respective one of the second and third main panel such that the respective inner reinforcement panel extends along a frontside of the package, folding a respective outer reinforcement panel being directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel along a respective longitudinally extending fold line into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed, attaching the respective outer reinforcement panel to another reinforcement panel of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panel thereby keeping the reinforcement panels in the folded position. It is preferred that the method is accomplished by making use of a blank as disclosed in various levels of details in the summary above and as disclosed in further various levels of details in the following.

Advantages of the associated various features have been discussed above with reference to the blank, and those advantages are equally applicable to the method. Moreover, the various preferred embodiments which have been discussed with reference to the blank, and associated advantages of those preferred embodiments, are equally applicable to the method.

It may be noted that the use of first, second, third, fourth, etc., are mainly to be seen as labels facilitating reading and that it does not necessarily mean that there need to be all the intervening numbers of portions present. It may also be noted that the labels first, second, third, and fourth does not necessarily mean that the portions or panels are arranged in a specific order based on the labels from first to fourth. The labels first, second, third, and fourth are introduced in an order facilitating reading of the disclosure. It may e.g., be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the main panels are arranged as seen along the longitudinal direction in the order, the fourth main panel, the second main panel, the first main panel, and the third main panel.

It may also be noted that panel names such as top, bottom or floor, respectively, wall are intended to be read as labels, not necessarily defining the orientation of the panel. As an example, the package does not need to be oriented such that the first top panel actually forms the top of the package. The package may be oriented such that the panel labelled first top panel actually forms a side wall or even forms a bottom of the package. However, in the preferred embodiment, the package will be oriented so that the bottom panels face downward, the top panels face upward, and the wall panels face outwards from an axis between top and bottom.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

The invention may also in short be said to relate to a blank configured to be erected into a package, a package formed by such a blank, and a method of erecting a blank, wherein the blank is configured to be erected into a package having reinforced corners, the blank comprising a plurality of main panels arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction, an attachment tab, two sets of reinforcement panels, wherein the respective set of reinforcement panels includes at least an inner reinforcement panel and an outer reinforcement panel, wherein the outer reinforcement panel is configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective second or third main panel thereby keeping the reinforcement panels in the folded position, and, wherein the second, respectively the third main panel is provided with a perforation extending at least partly from a front portion to a rear portion of the respective main panel thereby allowing a cover portion of the package to be separated from a tray portion of the package.

Brief

of the

The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1a discloses a flat-laid blank according to a first embodiment configured to form a package.

Figs. 1b-c disclose a package formed by the blank of Fig. 1a.

Fig. 2a discloses a flat-laid blank according to a second embodiment configured to form a package.

Figs. 2b-c disclose a package formed by the blank of Fig. 2a.

Fig. 3a discloses a flat-laid blank according to a third embodiment configured to form a package.

Figs. 3b-c disclose a package formed by the blank of Fig. 3a. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the following, the blank 1 configured to be erected into a package 200 having reinforced corners will be described in detail.

As illustrated in Figs. 1a, 2a, 3a the blank 1 comprises a plurality of main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction L. In other words, the main panels of the plurality of the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 are foldably connected to one after another along transversally extending edges of the neighbouring main panels of the plurality of the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40. In the preferred embodiment, there are four main panels, a first main panel 10, a second main panel 20, a third main panel 30, and a fourth main panel 40. As best seen in Figs. 1b-c, 2b-c, 3b-c, the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 are configured to form two opposing side walls 220, 230, a bottom 210 and a top 240, respectively, when the blank 1 is erected to form the package 200. The second main panel 20 is configured to form part of a first side wall 220 of the package 200. The third main panel 30 is configured to form part of a second side wall 230 of the package 200. The first and second side walls 220, 230 are configured to be opposing side walls of the package 200. The second and third main panel 20, 30 are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges 17, 18 of the first main panel 10 which is configured to form a bottom 210 of the package 200. The fourth main panel 40 is configured to form a top 240 of the package 200.

Now referring to Figs. 1a, 2a, 3a, in order to keep the first, second, third and fourth panels 10, 20, 30, 40 in the intended position as the side walls of the package 200, there is also an attachment tab 60 which is foldably connected to the fourth main panel 40 and which is configured to be attached to the third main panel 30 and thereby forming an interconnected loop of the first, second, third and fourth panels 10, 20, 30, 40. The attachment tab 60 is connected to an outer transversal edge 43 of the fourth main panel 40. Outer refers to the fact that the transversal edge is not connected to any of the other main panels of the blank. The attachment tab 60 may be attached to the third main panel 30 by means of an adhesive, e.g., glue. However, the attachment tab 60 may be attached to the third main panel 30 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art. It may be noted that the attachment tab 60 may be configured to be attached to a major surface configured to form an inwardly facing or an outwardly facing major surface of the third main panel 30. It may be noted that the attachment tab 60 is not necessarily limited to being connected to the fourth main panel 40. The attachment tab 60 may alternatively be foldably connected to the third main panel 30. Hence, the attachment tab 60 may be configured to be attached to the fourth main panel 40 and thereby form an interconnected loop of the first, second, third and fourth panels 10, 20, 30, 40. It may be noted that the attachment tab 60 may be configured to be attached to a major surface configured to form an inwardly facing or an outwardly facing major surface of the fourth main panel 40. It may also be noted that the blank 1 may be configured differently when it comes to where the sequence of main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 may be separated as seen in the flat-laid state shown in Fig. 1a as long as the result is that when the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 are interconnected with an attachment tab 60 there is formed a sequence of the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 where there is a second main panel 20 forming a side wall followed by a first main panel 10 forming a bottom followed by a third main panel 30 forming a side wall followed by a fourth main panel 40 forming a top.

It may however be noted that the terms “first main panel 10”, “second main panel 20”, “third main panel 30” and “fourth main panel 40” are used through-out the description irrespective of where the separation of the main panels and irrespective of to which main panel the attachment tab is connected respectively attached. It may also be noted that unless nothing else is explicitly given, the aforementioned terms should not be understood as the blank 1 necessarily being limited to four main panels. However, it is preferred that the blank 1 has four main panels configured to form an interconnected loop of main panels with the use of an attachment tab.

Continuing with Figs. 1a, 2a, 3a, the blank 1 is further provided with a two sets of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c. The respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c are foldably connected to the second main panel 20 and the third main panel 30, respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge 21, 31 of the respective one of the second and third main panel 20, 30. Hence, the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 and the set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c are integrally formed in a single blank 1. The respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may include at least an inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and an outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b. The inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a is foldably connected to the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. As best seen in Figs, 1b-c, 2b-c, 3b-c, the inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a is configured to be folded to extend along a front side 250 of the package 200. Hence, the major surfaces of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a may be configured to form an outwardly, respectively an inwardly facing surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along the front side 250.

The respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along a respective longitudinally extending fold line.

Preferably, but not necessarily, one or more of the longitudinally extending fold lines of the set of reinforcement panels connected to the second main panel coincides with the longitudinally extending fold lines of the set of reinforcement panels connected to the third main panel. Preferably, at least the two fold lines between the respective inner reinforcement panel and the respective one of the second and third main panel coincide.

In the follow description, a variant with the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b being directly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a will now be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 3a-c. In this variant with the set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b comprising an outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b being directly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a, said set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b may be configured to form a reinforced flat-sided corner. The term “reinforced flat-sided corner” will be described in further detail in the following description.

Now referring to Fig. 3a, by directly foldably connected, it is meant that the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. It may alternatively be said that the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be foldably connected along a longitudinally extending edge being common for the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b and the respective adjacent inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a.

Now referring to Figs. 3b-c, the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is configured to be folded into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement flat-sided corner is formed. By folded position, it is meant that a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is folded towards a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. Hence, a major surface of the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b, and a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a may be configured to form opposing major surfaces of the respective reinforcement flat-sided corner. The outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is further configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel 52a, 53a of the respective set of reinforcement panels, hence forming the respective reinforced flat-sided corner.

Fig. 3a discloses a blank 1 configured to be erected into a package 200 having reinforced flat-sided corners. As illustrated in Fig. 3a, the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b may be dimensioned in such a way that a respective width along a transversal direction T of the respective one of the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b is substantially equal. Preferably, the width of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and the width of the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is nominally equal. Thus, as best seen in Fig. 3c, a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is configured to be folded towards and preferably abut and thereby lie flat against a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. Hence, a reinforced flat-sided corner may be formed. One advantage with the reinforced flat-sided corner is that a package 200 having reinforced flat-sided corners is provided with additional mechanical stability, hence allowing a plurality of such packages 200 to be e.g., stacked while, at least partly, preventing deformation of the package 200. Further, reinforced flat-sided corners occupy minimal space, thus making packages 200 with reinforced flat-sided corners suitable for storing e.g., items that occupy the full internal space of the package. The skilled person realizes that the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b may be dimensioned in a number of different ways in order to form a respective reinforced flat-sided corner.

Continuing with Fig. 3a, a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be attached to a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a by means of an adhesive, such as glue. However, a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be attached to a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art.

It may be noted that the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be folded into a folded position such that a major surface configured to form an outwardly facing major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be folded towards, and further, be attached to a major surface configured to form an inwardly facing major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. Alternatively, the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be folded into a folded position such that a major surface configured to form an inwardly facing major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be folded towards, and further, be attached to a major surface configured to form an outwardly facing major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. By the outer reinforcement panels 52b, 53b being configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel 52a, 53a of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b, the reinforcement panels are kept in their folded position.

It may be noted that while it is preferred that the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is folded towards another reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and being configured to be attached to said another reinforcement panel 52a, 53a, the outer reinforcement panels 52b, 53b may, alternatively, be folded towards the respective second and third main panel 20 ,30 and be configured to be attached to said respective second and third main panel 20, 30.

Continuing with Fig. 3a, it may further be noted that the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b is not limited to being provided with one longitudinally extending fold line. On the contrary, the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b may be provided with at least one longitudinally extending fold line. By way of example, the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b may be provided with e.g., two, three, four, five, or more longitudinally extending fold lines. An advantage with the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b being provided with one longitudinally extending fold line is the provision of a pronounced folding of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b thereby facilitating handling of the package. If the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b is provided with more than one longitudinally extending fold line it is conceivable that the respective reinforced flat-sided corner could be made in a more or less curved shape.

Preferably, the respective longitudinally extending fold line extends in parallel with the longitudinally extending first edges 21 , 31 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30.

Preferably, the respective longitudinally extending fold line extends between a respective opposing transversally extending edge portion, preferably between a respective opposing transversally extending edge, of one or more reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-b, 53a-b.

In the follow description, a variant in which the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b being indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1a-c, respectively, 2a-c. In this variant there is in each set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c an outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b being indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a via a respective intermediate panel 52c, 53c. This kind of set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be configured to form a reinforced flat corner or a reinforced triangular corner. The terms “reinforced flat corner” respectively “reinforced triangular corner” will be described in further detail in the following description.

As is shown in Fig. 1a, 2a, the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may e.g., be foldably connected to a respective intermediate reinforcement panel 52c, 53c along a longitudinally extending first fold line between the respective intermediate reinforcement panels 52c, 53c and the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b. The respective intermediate reinforcement panels 52c, 53c may in turn be foldably connected to a respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along a longitudinally extending second fold line between the respective inner reinforcement panels 52a, 53a and the respective intermediate reinforcement panels 52c, 53c. It may in this context be noted that the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may include several intermediate panels arranged one after the other along the transversal direction as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1.

Now referring to Figs. 1b-c, 2b-c, the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is configured to be folded into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed. By folded position, it is meant that a major surface of the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is folded towards a major surface of the respective one of the second and third main panel 20, 30. Hence, a major surface of the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b and a major surface of the respective one of the second and third main panel 20, 30 may be configured to form opposing major surfaces and be attached to each other. Thus, the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is configured to be attached to the respective second and third main panel 20, 30, forming a reinforced flat corner or a reinforced triangular corner depending upon how and where the respective outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is attached to the respective one of the second and third main panel 20, 30.

With reference to Figs. 1a, 2a, it may be noted that the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c are dimensioned in slightly different ways in order to form either a reinforced flat corner, or a reinforced triangular corner.

Fig. 1a discloses a blank 1 configured to be erected into a package 200 having reinforced flat corners. Fig. 1a illustrates that, one or more, preferably at least two, of the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be dimensioned in such a way that a width along a transversal direction T of one or more, preferably at least two, of the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c is substantially equal. Preferably, the width of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and the width of the respective intermediate reinforcement panel 53c, 53c is equal. Thus, as best seen in Fig. 1c, when a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is folded towards a major surface of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30, a major surface of the intermediate reinforcement panel 52c, 53c is folded towards and preferably abuts and thereby lies flat against a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. Hence, a reinforced flat corner may be formed. One advantage with the reinforced flat corner is that a package 200 having reinforced flat corners is provided with additional mechanical stability, hence allowing a plurality of such packages 200 to be e.g., stacked while, at least partly, preventing deformation of the package 200. Further, reinforced flat corners occupy minimal space, thus making packages 200 with reinforced flat corners suitable for storing e.g., items that occupy the full internal space of the package. It may be noted that the reinforced flat corners may provide further mechanical stability to a package 200 while occupying marginally more space in comparison with reinforced flat-sided corners. The skilled person realizes that the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be dimensioned in a number of different ways in order to form a respective reinforced flat corner.

Fig. 2a discloses a blank 1 configured to be erected into a package 200 having reinforced triangular corners. Fig. 2a illustrates that, one or more of the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be dimensioned in such a way that a width along a transversal direction T of one or more of the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c is somewhat different. Preferably, the respective intermediate reinforcement panel 52c, 53c is wider than the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. Thus, as best seen in Fig. 2c, when a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is folded towards a major surface of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30, a major surface of the intermediate reinforcement panel 52c, 53c is folded towards a major surface of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a about the second longitudinally extending fold line and thereby an angle may be formed therebetween. Hence, a reinforced triangular corner may be formed. One advantage with the reinforced triangular corner is that a package 200 having reinforced triangular corners is provided with additional mechanical stability, hence allowing a plurality of such packages 200 to be e.g., stacked while, at least partly, preventing deformation of the package 200. It may be noted that the reinforced triangular corners may provide further mechanical stability to a package 200 while occupying marginally more space in comparison with reinforced flat-sided corners and reinforced flat corners, and is especially useful if the packages 200 with reinforced triangular corners are used for storing e.g., rounder items or bags since this space occupied by the reinforced triangular corners would in any case not have been occupied by such rounder items or bags. The skilled person realizes that the reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be dimensioned in a number of different ways in order to form a respective reinforced triangular corner.

Now referring to Figs. 1a, 2a, a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be attached to a major surface of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 by means of an adhesive, such as glue. However, a major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be attached to a major surface of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art.

It may be noted that the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may alternatively be folded back into the reinforced triangular corners in a folded position such that a major surface configured to form an outwardly facing major surface of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may be folded towards, and further, be attached to a major surface configured to form an inwardly facing major surface of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. Irrespectively of the orientation of the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b, by the outer reinforcement panels 52b, 53b being configured to be attached to the respective second and third main panel 20, 30, the reinforcement panels are kept in their folded position.

It may be noted that while it is preferred that the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b is folded towards the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 and being configured to be attached to said respective second and third main panel 20, 30, the outer reinforcement panel 52b, 53b may, alternatively, be folded towards another reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and being configured to be attached to said another reinforcement panel 52a, 53a.

It may further be noted that the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c is not limited to being provided with two longitudinally extending fold lines. On the contrary, the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be provided with at least two longitudinally extending fold lines. By way of example, the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may be provided with e.g., three, four, five, or more longitudinally extending fold lines. An advantage with the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c being provided with two longitudinally extending fold lines is the provision of a pronounced folding of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c thereby facilitating handling of the package. If the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c is provided with more than two longitudinally extending fold lines it is conceivable that the respective reinforced flat corner or the respective triangular corner could be made in a more or less curved shape.

Preferably, each of the respective longitudinally extending fold line extends in parallel with the longitudinally extending first edges 21 , 31 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. Preferably, each of the respective longitudinally extending fold line of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c extends in parallel with each other.

Preferably, each of the respective longitudinally extending fold line extends between a respective opposing transversally extending edge portion, preferably between a respective opposing transversally extending edge, of one or more reinforcement panels of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c.

Without reference to any particular embodiment of the blank 1, at least one of the reinforcement panels 52b-c, 53b-c of the respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c may have, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank 1 , a length L1 along the longitudinal direction L such that a first transversally extending edge of said reinforcement panel 52b-c, 53b-c is configured to abut the bottom 210 when the blank 1 is erected into a package 200. Preferably, a second, opposing transversally extending edge of said at least one of the reinforcement panels 52b-c, 53b-c is configured to abut the top 240 when the blank 1 is erected into a package. Alternatively, the one or more transversally extending edges of said at least one of the reinforcement panels 52b-c, 53b-c may be terminated at a distance from one or both of the bottom 210 and the top 240 when the blank 1 is erected into a package.

Continuing with Figs, 1a, 2a, 3a, the second 20, respectively the third main panel 30 is provided with a perforation 25, 35 extending at least partly from a front portion 20a, 30a to a rear portion 20b, 30b of the respective main panel 20, 30 thereby allowing a cover portion of the package 200 to be separated from a tray portion of the package 200. In this context it may be noted that perforation refers to any kind of weakening facilitating tearing of the material along said perforation. The perforation may be designed in various ways, it may be a line of intermittent through-going holes, a line of intermittent cuts from one or both sides of the material. Thus, the perforations 25, 35 may alternatively be referred to as tear lines 25, 35. It may also be noted that the perforation 25, 35 being referred to as being continuous refers to the weakening being continuous without any significant lengths of non-weakened material, and that this notion is irrespective of the actual design of the weakening, which as mentioned above as such may be provided by intermittent holes or cuts.

In the description to follow, the cover portion of the package 200 may be defined as a top portion of the package 200 above the respective perforation 25, 35. Further, the tray portion of the package 200 may be defined as a bottom portion of the package 200 below the respective perforation 25, 35. The respective perforation 25, 35 may be teared and thus allow the cover portion to be separated from the tray portion. Unless nothing else is explicitly given, by the cover portion being separated from the tray portion it is meant that the cover portion may be completely or partially separated from the tray portion. By the cover portion being completely separated from the tray portion it is meant that the cover portion is not connected to the tray portion. By the cover portion being partially separated from the tray portion it is meant that the cover portion may e.g., be hingedly connected to the tray portion.

The respective perforation 25, 35 preferably extends from a lower height hi at the front portion 20a, 30a to a higher height h2 at the rear portion 20b, 30b of the respective main panel 20, 30. The lower height hi may, as seen from a flat-laid state of the blank 1, be defined as a longitudinal distance from a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along the longitudinally extending first edge 21 ,31 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 to said perforations 25, 35. The higher height h2 may, as seen from a flat-laid state of the blank 1 , be defined as a longitudinal distance from a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges 17, 18 along the longitudinally extending second edge 22, 32 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 to said perforations 25, 35.

The respective perforation 25, 35 may initially extend along the lower height hi, preferably along a longitudinally extending fold line, of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and then continue and traverse the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a to the longitudinally extending first edge 21,31 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. Hence, a lower portion configured to be separate from the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a, may be formed, and which lower portion may be configured to form part of the respective second and third main panels 20, 30, and the tray portion. The initial longitudinal extension or initial portion 25a, 35a of the perforation 25, 35 along the lower height hi is preferably comparably weak, i.e., comparably easy to tear, and is in one preferred embodiment replaced by a through-going cut, preferably a longitudinally extending through-going cut. To facilitate transportation in a flat- laid state, the initial extension 25a, 35a may be provided with a small, weak connection across the cut such that it is avoided that there is formed a flimsy flap which otherwise might risk being dislocated out of the plane of the blank. The respective perforation 25, 35 may further, preferably continuously, extend from the longitudinally extending first edge 21, 31 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge 22, 32 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. Preferably, the respective perforation 25, 35 extends essentially diagonally along the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 to a point of intersection between the longitudinally extending second edge 22, 32 and a transversally extending second edge 24, 34 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. It may be noted that the respective perforation 25, 35 need not extend diagonally but may extend in parallel with a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges 17, 18. Diagonally extending refers to a direction having a component along both the longitudinal L and transversal T direction. In the preferred embodiment this diagonal main extension follows a curved line, preferably with the concave side facing upwardly. The starting point of the diagonal direction is preferably in a point being defined by an initial portion 25a, 35a of the respective perforation 25, 35 extending from the transversally extending edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a facing the first main panel 10. The respective initial portion 25a, 35a preferably has an extension along the lower height hi, preferably along, and more preferably coinciding with, a longitudinally extending fold line, of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. Where the lower height hi has been reached, the perforation 25, 35traverses the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a along a line having a major component along, and preferably is essentially parallel to, the transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a to a point on the fold line between the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a and the second and the third main panel, respectively. This point on the fold line defines the starting point at the longitudinally extending first edge 21, 31 of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30. The respective perforation 25, 35 may each form a respective continuous perforation extending from a lower height hi at the front portion 20a, 30a to a higher height h2 at the rear portion 20b, 30b of the respective main panel 20, 30.

A front frame panel 15 may be foldably connected to the first main panel 10 along a longitudinally extending first edge 11 of the first main panel 10. The front frame panel 15 is configured to be attached to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels 20, 30. Preferably, the front frame panel 15 may be configured to be attached to the respective lower portion of the second and third main panels 20, 30 being formed by the extension of the respective perforation 25, 35 of the respective inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a. The front frame panel 15 may be attached to a lower portion of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 by means of an adhesive, e.g., glue. However, the front frame panel 15 may be attached to a lower portion of the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art.

A set of rear wall panels may be foldably connected to one or more of the main panels 10, 20, 30, 40 along a longitudinally extending second edge 12, 22, 32, 42 of the respective main panel 10, 20, 30, 40. For instance, the second and third main panels 20, 30 may each be provided with a respective rear wall panel 26, 36 being foldably connected along a longitudinally extending second edge 22, 32 of the respective main panel 20, 30.

The set of rear wall panels may comprise a rear frame panel 16 being foldably connected to the first main panel 10 along the longitudinally extending second edge 12 of the first main panel 10. The rear frame panel 16 may be configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels 20, 30, such as by being adhesively attached to a respective lower portion of the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 being foldably connected to the second and third main panels 20, 30, respectively.

It is conceivable that instead of the respective perforation 25, 35 extending to the higher height h2, the respective perforation 25, 35 may extend at a smaller angle or even in parallel with a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges 17, 18, and traverse a respective rear wall panel 26, 36 being foldably connected to the respective second and third main panel 20, 30 a transversal distance along a transversally extending first edge of the respective rear wall panel 26, 36, and further, preferably continuously, extend to the transversally extending first edge of the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 a distance being equal to the lower height hi . Hence, a lower portion configured to be separate from the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 may be formed, and which lower portion may be configured to form part of the respective second and third main panels 20, 30. The rear frame panel 16 may be configured to be attached to the respective lower portion of the second and third main panels 20, 30 being formed by the extension of the respective perforation 25, 35 of said respective rear wall panel 26, 36. Alternatively, the respective perforation 25, 35 may extend to the higher height h2, and the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 may be provided with a separate perforation configured to form a lower portion configured to be separate from the respective rear wall panel 26, 36, and which lower portion may be configured to form part of the respective second and third main panels 20, 30. The rear frame panel 16 may be configured to be attached to the respective lower portion of the second and third main panels 20, 30 being formed by the extension of the respective separate perforation of the respective rear wall panel 26, 36.

It may also be noted that the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 may be provided with internal fold lines such that the different portions may be folded relative to each other similarly to the manner by which the disclosed set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c are folded relative to each other. Thus, the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 may form a respective set of reinforcement panels at the rear corners being similar to the previously discussed respective set of reinforcement panels 52a-c, 53a-c at the front corners.

Now referring to Figs. 1a, 2a, 3a, a front cover panel 45 may be foldably connected to a longitudinally extending first edge 41 of a fourth main panel 40. As best seen in Figs. 1b-c, 2b-c, 3b-c, the front cover panel 45 may be configured to be attached to the inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a, preferably outside of the inner reinforcement panels 52a, 53a. The front cover panel 45 may be configured to be attached to the inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a by means of an adhesive, e.g., glue. However, the front cover panel 45 may be attached to the inner reinforcement panel 52a, 53a by other means than glue, such as double-sided tape, other types of adhesives or any other means normally used in the art.

Continuing with Figs. 1a, 2a, 3a, the set of rear wall panels may comprise a rear cover panel 46 being foldably connected to a longitudinally extending second edge 42 of the fourth main panel 40. As best seen in Figs. 1c, 2c, 3c, the rear cover panel 46 may be configured to be connected to a respective upper portion of the second 20 and third 30 main panels, respectively such as by being adhesively attached to a respective upper portion of the respective rear wall panel 26, 36 being foldably connected to the second and third main panels 20, 30, respectively.

The rear cover panel 46 may be provided with a perforation extending between a respective opposing transversally extending edge portion, preferably between a respective opposing transversally extending edge, of the rear cover panel 46. The perforation may overlap with the longitudinally extending second edge 42 of the fourth main panel 40. This may alternatively be expressed as that the perforation may extend along the fold line between the fourth main panel 40 and the rear cover panel 46. This allows the cover portion of the package 200 to be completely separated from the tray portion of the package 200.

The blank 1 is preferably made of a paper-based material. An advantage with the blank 1 being paper-based is that paper-based materials are recyclable hence making efficient use of the material. Paper-based materials are also renewable and sustainable. It is also comparably easy to cut a sheet of paper-based material into the desired shape of the blank 1. It is also comparably easy to fold a paper-based blank 1 into the desired package 200. The paper-based material may comprise a corrugated layer with flutes. The flutes of the corrugated layer may extend along the longitudinal direction L. However, the flutes of the corrugated layer may alternatively extend along the transversal direction T. The blank 1 may be made of any material normally used in the art for packaging. By way of example, the blank 1 may be made of plastic or wood.

The blank 1 may be provided with through-going holes, openings, or the like, acting as handles 25b, 35b which e.g., may be used to facilitate tearing along the perforations 25, 35. The handles 25b, 35b may e.g., be provided as small through-going openings in the second and third main panels 20, 30, the small openings 25b, 35b having a part of its circumference coinciding with the perforations 25, 35. Any main panels or panels of the blank 1 may be provided with through-going holes or the like acting as handles for handling the package 200 and/or for facilitating tearing along the perforations 25, 35. Alternatively, the material in the handles may still be present, but may be easily pushed inwardly by being defined by a secondary perforation forming a loop around said handles 25b, 35b, and preferably connecting with the perforation 25, 35. The through-going holes may alternatively be omitted. The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A blank (1) configured to be erected into a package (200) having reinforced corners, the blank comprising: a plurality of main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction (L) as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank (1), the main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) being configured to form two opposing side walls (220, 230), a bottom (210) and a top (240) when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200); wherein the second main panel (20) is configured to form part of a first side wall (220) of the package (200) and the third main panel (30) is configured to form part of a second side wall (230) of the package (200), the first and second side walls (220, 230) being opposing side walls of the package (200); wherein the second and third main panel (20, 30) are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges (17, 18) of the first main panel (10) configured to form the bottom (210); wherein the blank further comprises: an attachment tab (60) being foldably connected to one main panel (40) at a first outer, transversally extending edge (43) of the blank (1) and being configured to be attached to an opposing main panel (30) such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200); a respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel (20, 30), respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge (21 , 31) of the second and third main panel (20, 30), respectively; wherein the respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) includes at least an inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) and an outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b), wherein the inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) of the respective set is foldably connected to the respective one of the second (20) and third (30) main panel and is configured to be folded to extend along a frontside (250) of the package (200) when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200), and wherein the outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b) of the respective set is directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) along a longitudinally extending fold line and is configured, when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200), to be folded into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed; wherein the outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b) is configured to be attached to another reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panels (20, 30) when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200), and thereby keep the reinforcement panels in the folded position; and, wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and the second (20), and the third (30) main panel, respectively, is provided with a respective perforation (25, 35) extending at least partly along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and traversing the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) to the longitudinally extending first edge (21 , 31) of the respective second and third main panel (20, 30) and thereafter extending to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge (22, 32) of the respective one of the second and third main panel (20, 30) thereby allowing a cover portion of the package (200) to be separated from a tray portion of the package (200) when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200).

2. The blank (1) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reinforcement panels (52b-c, 53b-c) of the respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) has, as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank (1), a length (L1) along the longitudinal direction (L) such that a transversally extending edge of said reinforcement panel (52b-c, 53b-c) is configured to abut the bottom (210) when the blank (1) is erected into a package (200).

3. The blank (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200), the respective perforation extends from a first height (hi) at the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) to a second height (h2) at the longitudinally extending second edge (22, 32) of the respective main panel (20, 30), the first height (hi) being lower than the second height (h2).

4. The blank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a front frame panel (15) being foldably connected to the first main panel (10) along a longitudinally extending first edge (11) of the first main panel (10), and wherein the front frame panel (15) is configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels (20, 30), respectively, by being attached to a respective lower portion of a respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) connected to the respective one of the second and third main panels (20, 30) when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200).

5. The blank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a front cover panel (45) being foldably connected to a longitudinally extending first edge (41) of a fourth main panel (40), wherein the front cover panel (45) is configured to be attached to the inner reinforcement panels (52a, 53a), preferably outside of the inner reinforcement panels (52a, 53a), and preferably being configured to be connected to a respective upper portion of the second and third main panels (20, 30), respectively, by being attached to a respective upper portion of a respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) connected to the respective one of the second and third main panels (20, 30) when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200).

6. The blank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a set of rear wall panels being foldably connected to one or more of the main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) along a longitudinally extending second edge (12, 22, 32, 42) of the respective main panel (10, 20, 30, 40).

7. The blank (1) according to claim 6, wherein the set of rear wall panels comprises a rear frame panel (16) being foldably connected to the first main panel (10) along a longitudinally extending second edge (12) of the first main panel (10), wherein the rear frame panel (16) is configured to be connected to a respective lower portion of the second and third main panels (20, 30), respectively, by being connected to a respective lower portion of a respective rear wall panel (26, 36) connected to a respective longitudinally extending second edge (22, 32) of the second and third main panels (20, 30), respectively, when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200).

8. The blank (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the set of rear wall panels comprises a rear cover panel (46) being foldably connected to a longitudinally extending second edge (42) of the fourth main panel (40), wherein the rear cover panel (46) is configured to be connected to a respective upper portion of the second and third main panels (20, 30), respectively, by being connected to a respective upper portion of a respective rear wall panel (26, 36) connected to a respective longitudinally extending second edge (22, 32) of the second and third main panels (20, 30), respectively, when the blank (1) is erected to form the package (200).

9. The blank (1) according to claim 8, wherein the rear cover panel (46) is provided with a perforation extending between opposing transversally extending edges of the rear cover panel (46), wherein preferably the perforation is positioned in a fold line between the rear cover panel (46) and the fourth main panel (40).

10. The blank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blank (1) is formed of a paper-based material.

11. Package (200) having reinforced corners, the package (200) being folded from a blank (1) comprising a plurality of main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction (L) as seen in a flat- laid state of the blank (1), wherein the main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) are folded to form two opposing side walls (220, 230), a bottom (210) and a top (240), wherein the second main panel (20) forms part of a first side wall (220) of the package (200) and the third main panel (30) forms part of a second side wall (230) of the package (200), the first and second side walls (220, 230) being opposing side walls of the package (200), wherein the second and third main panel (20, 30) are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges (17, 18) of the first main panel (10) forming the bottom (210), wherein the package (200) further comprises: an attachment tab (60) being foldably connected to one main panel (40) at a first outer, transversally extending edge (43) of the blank (1) and being attached to an opposing main panel (30) such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels; a respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel (20, 30), respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge (21 , 31) of the respective second and third main panel (20, 30); and wherein the respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) includes at least an inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) and an outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b), wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) is foldably connected to the respective one of the second (20) and third (30) main panel and is folded and extends along a frontside (250) of the package (200), and wherein the respective outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b) is directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) along a longitudinally extending fold line and is folded into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed, wherein the respective outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b) is attached to another reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panels (20, 30) and thereby keeps the reinforcement panels in the folded position; and, wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and the second (20) and the third (30) main panel, respectively, is provided with a respective perforation (25, 35) extending at least partly along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and traversing the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) to the longitudinally extending first edge (21 , 31) of the respective second and third main panel (20, 30) and thereafter extending to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge (22, 32) of the respective main panel (20, 30) thereby allowing a cover portion of the package (200) to be separated from a tray portion of the package (200).

12. Method of erecting a blank (1) into a package (200) having reinforced corners, the blank comprising a plurality of main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) arranged one after another along a longitudinal direction (L) as seen in a flat-laid state of the blank (1), an attachment tab (60) being foldably connected to one main panel (40) at a first outer, transversally extending edge (43) of the blank (1) and being configured to be attached to an opposing main panel (30) such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels; and a respective set of reinforcement panels (52a-c, 53a-c) being foldably connected to the second and the third main panel (20, 30), respectively, along a respective longitudinally extending first edge (21 , 31) of the respective second and third main panel (20, 30); wherein the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and the second and the third main panel (20, 30), respectively, is provided with a respective perforation (25, 35) extending at least partly along a longitudinally extending fold line of the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a), and traversing the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) along a transversally extending first edge of the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) to the longitudinally extending first edge (21 , 31) of the respective second and third main panel (20, 30) and thereafter extending to an opposing longitudinally extending second edge (22, 32) of the respective main panel (20, 30) thereby allowing a cover portion of the package (200) to be separated from a tray portion of the package (200), wherein the method comprises: folding the main panels (10, 20, 30, 40) to form two opposing side walls (220, 230), a bottom (210) and a top (240), wherein the second main panel (20) form part of a first side wall (220) of the package (2) and the third main panel (30) form part of a second side wall of the package (230), the first and second side walls (220, 230) being opposing side walls of the package (2); wherein the second and third main panel (20 ,30) are foldably connected to a respective one of two opposing transversally extending edges (17, 18) of the first main panel (10) configured to form the bottom (210); attaching the attachment tab (60) to the opposing main panel (30) such that the main panels form an interconnected loop of main panels, folding a respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) being foldably connected to the respective one of the second (20) and third (30) main panel such that the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) extends along a frontside (250) of the package (200); folding a respective outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b) being directly or indirectly foldably connected to the respective inner reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) along a respective longitudinally extending fold line into a folded position in which a respective reinforcement corner is formed, and attaching the respective outer reinforcement panel (52b, 53b) to another reinforcement panel (52a, 53a) of the respective set of reinforcement panels or to the respective one of the second and third main panel (20, 30) thereby keeping the reinforcement panels in the folded position.